Tag Archives: immigration

My father was born in Lithuania. As immigrants from certain Europeans countries began to migrate to the United States, stereotypes began to develop. Whether it was the era, how my dad was raised or specific mannerisms, my father tended to be stoic unless he was angry. Meanwhile, my mom who grew up in Hershey, Pennsylvania wasn’t afraid to wear her emotions on her sleeve. Like any child, I exhibit a combination of qualities from each of my parents. Nonetheless, whenever my heart is moved or touched by something special, I can’t help myself, easily brought to tears.

As He entered a village, He was met by ten lepers who stood at a distance; 13 and they raised their voices and called out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 When He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were [miraculously] healed and made clean, Luke 17:12-14.

During the first century, Jews and Samaritans were enemies as hatred and resentment spilled over from the past. This tension began when Israel was divided into two kingdoms, Israel in the north and Judea in the south. The north whose second capital was relocated upon a hillside in Samaria often did what was right in their own eyes. The southern kingdom remained more true to God as some kings reminded citizens of their spiritual heritage. The main issues between Jews and Samaritans began during 722 B.C. when Assyria conquered Israel and took most of its people into captivity. The byproduct of this siege led to intermarriages between Gentiles and Israelites. Thus, Samaritans earned the reputation of being only half Jewish, labeled and ridiculed for centuries.

One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying and praising and honoring God with a loud voice; 16 and he lay face downward at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him [over and over]. He was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten [of you] cleansed? Where are the [other] nine?18 Was there no one found to return and to give thanks and praise to God, except this foreigner?” – Luke 17:15-18

Recognizing this portion in history, Jesus is shocked by how little appreciation is shown to God by 9 Jewish lepers. On the other hand, the Samaritan leper is overwhelmed after being healed. According to a first century doctor, this man couldn’t help himself, praising God over and over again. Sometimes in life, stereotypes influence how people act, behave and interact with others. Yet, when you slow down and look around to see the numerous minor miracles in your life, you too can model the thanksgiving demonstrated by this Samaritan leper. May the example of this first century man inspire you to develop a new outlook on life in 2019.

My dad’s mother, an immigrant to this country, spent most of her time in the United States living in Binghamton, New York. Beside working as a nurse at a local hospital, my grandmother rented out the second floor of their house which consisted of three separate apartments. After her three sons graduated from college, Joanna continued to work at this hospital but left these spare rooms vacant. During my childhood, these upper rooms provided an excellent place for hide and go seek. Due to squeaky wooden floors, you were forced to tip toe, spying through open keyholes in antique doors. From this vantage point, you could check to see who was coming or wait until someone revealed their hiding place.

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak,” Matthew 26:41.

Prior to high tech security systems with hidden cameras, most modern front doors contained a peek hole to look through before opening the door. This safety feature protected children from unwanted strangers like the classic scenes from Home Alone and Uncle Buck. However, these peek holes were not always used for wholesome reasons. Over the years, some have fallen prey to voyeurism, using binoculars, open key holes and peek holes to feed fleshly desires. Those who give into these ungodly desires open the door for pornography that leads to reprobate minds. While each individual is vulnerable to different types of temptation, Jesus urged his own disciples to watch and pray so that the Holy Spirit will override earthly desires.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you, James 4:7.

Jesus’ earthly brother chimes in with his own advice. In the first chapter to first century believers, James 1:13-15 claims that temptation is not God’s fault. Rather, the process of giving into sin is a series of compromises, often subtle that lead careless souls on the verge of going beyond boundaries defined by the Bible. Thus, James commands his readers to resist the Devil by submitting yourself to God. Meanwhile, the apostle Paul adds another piece of this spiritual puzzle, 1 Corinthians 10:13, when tempted look for the way out of your predicament. If there is one song that demonstrates the danger that lurks on the other side of a keyhole it’s the children’s classic O Be Careful Little Eyes. May this blog inspire you to avoid taking a second glance so that the urge to sin is quickly broken by eyes fixated on the cross of Jesus, Hebrews 12:1-4.

Bigotry is often cyclical, with ebbs and flows as nations rise and fall. Depending upon one’s exposure, upbringing or stubbornness, prejudices are hard to break, especially if the world around you is rapidly changing. In the 20th century, Archie Bunker was a symbol of America’s bigotry. Despite the comical elements of this hit television series, the content was a sad reality of a segregated society unable to embrace the Great Melting pot of immigrants.

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets, Matthew 7:12.

Near the end of the 1970’s in several mid-Atlantic states, desegregation tried to changed this dilemma. As for me, I became the minority overnight, bused to inner city Wilmington for three years of Elementary school. In hindsight, the shoe was on the other foot, as I was exposed to the daily hatred African Americans faced in a country dominated by white people. Similar to the scene in Remember the Titans, Coach Boone played by Denzel Washington tells his assistant Coach Yoast, “welcome to my world,” following by a drive by shooting at his home that endangered his daughter.

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” Galatians 5:14.

Today, ambulance chasers, media sound byte paparazzi and those searching to smear a rising political star will occasionally use bigotry, intolerance and race baiting to accomplish their goal, to destroy their enemies. When you add the advent of modern technology, it doesn’t take long for an embarrassing moment, foolish act or slip of the tongue to go viral. Instead of following the Golden Rule, doing unto others as you want others to do unto you, some will do whatever it takes to get ahead. Therefore, rather than improving race relations the selfish are using this sensitive issue to divide souls. Although pockets of racism still exist, some aren’t improving this situation by bringing up old wounds of the past. Actions, time and truth will reveal who the bigots are now.